Useful Links

CSR for SMEs

The CSR SME Online Tool is an initiative of the CSR Stakeholder Forum which was set up to drive the objectives of the National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility which was published by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in 2014

Business in the Community Ireland is the network for responsible and sustainable business. Whilst working with larger companies, it has a range of toolkits and case studies for SMEs. These can be found here https://www.bitc.ie/smes/

The UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles are derived from: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

The Global Reporting Initiative is an international independent organization that helps businesses, governments and other organizations understand and communicate the impact of business on critical sustainability issues such as climate change, human rights, corruption and many others.

ISO 26000:2010 provides guidance on Corporate Social Responsibility helping to clarify what social responsibility is, helps businesses and organizations translate principles into effective actions and shares best practices relating to social responsibility, globally. It is aimed at all types of organizations regardless of their activity, size or location.

Excellence Through People is a certification available through NSAI. The focus is to get organisations to look at their people as a key source of competitive advantage. The scheme is available to all organisations.

Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) is a work placement programme which aims to promote access to the labour market for graduates with disabilities and build the capacity of employers to integrate disability into the mainstream workplace.

IASE (Irish Association of Supported Employment) is a not-for-profit organisation set-up in 1994 to promote a system called ‘supported employment’. Supported employment is used in many countries around the world to help people with disabilities and other marginalised groups enter the workplace.

The Environment

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s Business Support Centre provides practical industry-specific information on how you can cut your business costs by saving energy. The website also provides information on relevant financial supports available to businesses of various sizes.

Green Teams

The Green Teams Recognition Scheme offers workplace environmental champions and members of green teams (GT), the opportunity to obtain a recognised third level qualification by completing the Certificate Course delivered through Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT).

Origin Green is the only sustainability programme in the world that operates on a national scale, uniting government, the private sector and food producers. It is an initiative of Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board.

The STOP Food Waste programme is funded under the EPA National Waste Prevention Programme (NWPP). By not generating waste, we can eliminate the need to handle, transport, treat and dispose of waste. We can also avoid having to pay for these services.

The PRI is the world's leading proponent of responsible investment and works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. It is supported by, but not part of, the United Nations.

Social Entrepreneurs Ireland supports social entrepreneurs through an Awards Programme, holds an Annual Awards Ceremony, and works to build a vibrant and effective ecosystem in Ireland to ensure that the best ideas get the support they need to succeed.

Businesses and other organisations can partner with Suas to provided one on one mentoring in literacy to students in disadvantaged areas. Staff are asked to volunteer in DEIS schools for one hour per week for a period of 8 weeks.